On Monday night, Mayo GAA aanounced that Kevin McStay had been ratified as senior manager on a four-year-term. Since James Horan stepped down at the start of the summer, a host of names had been linked with the job.
Kevin McStay is ratified as new Mayo GAA Senior Football Manager
See statement in link below 🔽https://t.co/VE7K1r9Hzp#mayogaa pic.twitter.com/LYibR922bw— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) August 22, 2022
GAA: McStay on his Mayo squad
Speaking to the Irish Times in his first interview as the new Mayo GAA senior manager, Kevin McStay said that "There’s no question of us not being relevant in 2023."
"I don’t see any transition in Mayo. I just see that a lot of good, young players have come on and we drive it on. If there was a transition, it’s been pretty much done under James. He brought through a lot of good players in the last few years and we’ve to build on that a little bit but we have to stay competitive."
It was a difficult 2022 campaign for Mayo as they were knocked out of the All-Ireland by eventual winners Kerry in the quarterfinal. Injuries to talismen Tommy Conroy and Ryan O'Donoghue didn't help their cause, but with their only defeats in the championship coming to Kerry and runners up Galway, there's certainly optimism ahead of next season.
McStay also spoke about the quality of footballers around the county, saying:
"There’s always footballers in Mayo.
"It’s up to me to harness that and bring it all together and that’s what I intend to do. We weren’t in the Connacht final this year and that’s where we have to begin. I’ve always argued that the provincial championship is the best base camp for Mayo going into the All-Ireland."
Mayo GAA chairman on McStay's appointment
Speaking on Midwest Radio, Mayo GAA chairman Seamus Tuohy spoke about his relief that the recruitment process had been completed and how satisfied the board are with McStay's appointment.
Tuohy said:
"Well look, I'm relieved to be at this stage. You know, (it was ) a difficult few weeks to push this forward. But look, it was an excellent process and look it, I'm delighted at where we are tonight. I think the process, we appointed the best person for the job at this particular time. Kevin brought a very impressive team with him. Indeed all four candidates did and I have to say the preparation these guys put in and the passion and commitment that they showed was absolutely excellent. But I think Kevin, I'd like to congratulate him on behalf of the board, I think he's an excellent appointment.
"I think it's exciting times for Mayo GAA and I think, look it, let's push forward now, have a good club championship and hopefully the club championship will inert four or five new players that we can put into the squad. There's a good baseline there at the moment between youth and experience and lets build on it. "
It will be interesting to see how McStay does during his first season in charge of Mayo, but for the county, it's certainly an exciting appointment that will bring optimism ahead of the new campaign.
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